Zach Werenski had a goal and an assist, and Sean Monahan and Brendan Gaunce scored for the Blue Jackets (11-9-5), who have lost four in a row (0-1-3). Jet Greaves made 20 saves.
Over their past 11 games, the Blue Jackets have gone past regulation eight times and have blown leads in six of them. They’ve gone 3-0-5 in those eight games, including going 1-0-3 while giving up a two-goal lead late in four of those games.
“I’m not sure you guys (the media) are sick of asking about it,” Werenski said. “I’m sure fans are sick of seeing it. So, at the end of the day, it’s on us to just find a way to get a win and win in regulation and close the game out.
“We’re getting points, and we still haven’t really played good enough in the third period, and we’re leading in almost every game. So, I really like what we have going on here. But, yeah, I mean, we’re sick of talking about it.”
Rust cut the Columbus lead to 3-2 at 13 seconds of the third period with a snap shot from the top of the right circle.
Crosby tied it 3-3 with his second goal of the game at 8:28, taking a pass off the right wall from Novak and breaking in alone before sneaking a shot under Greaves’ right arm.
“Sid’s goal there was massive, obviously,” Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse said. “But I also thought we had more time there where we’re starting to put multiple shifts together.”
Crosby made it 1-0 at 6:10 of the first period, redirecting a Letang pass at the left post.
